Cell contacts in human islets of langerhans

L. Orci, F. Malaisse-Lagae, M. Amherdt, M. Ravazzola, A. Weisswange, R. Dobbs, A. Perrelet, Roger H Unger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

The freeze-fracturing technique was applied to fresh human islets of Langerhans. With this technique, the inside of cellular membranes was revealed, and specific membrane differentiations, hitherto unknown, were observed in the plasma membrane of the endocrine cells. The specific membrane differentiations represent two types of intercellular junctions, namely the tight junction, which determines a closure of the extracellular space and the gap junction which allows molecules and ions to diffuse from one.cell to another (sharing the gap junction) without leaking in the extracellular space (intercellular coupling). The presence of such junctions may be important for the secretory behavior of the cells within the islet.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)841-844
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume41
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1975

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

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